SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a thrilling matchup on Saturday night, Domantas Sabonis delivered a standout performance with 27 points and 16 rebounds, marking his league-leading 46th double-double of the NBA season. The Sacramento Kings staged a dramatic comeback from a 20-point deficit to clinch a 123-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, who extended their losing streak to eight games.

Zach LaVine had an impressive showing, contributing 22 points in his strongest outing since being traded from the Chicago Bulls. Keegan Murray also shone with 19 points and eight rebounds, supporting the Kings’ effort.

For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson shined brightly, scoring a season-high of 40 points. CJ McCollum added 31 points, while Trey Murphy III also made his mark with 20 points. The game began heavily in favor of New Orleans, who shot to a 29-9 lead within the first nine minutes of the opening quarter, but the Kings fought back strongly in the latter stages of the game.

As the match unfolded, New Orleans struggled to maintain control, trailing for much of the fourth quarter. They managed to close the gap to 121-118, thanks to a collection of free throws from McCollum with just 15.2 seconds remaining. Jonas Valanciunas, who joined the Kings at the trade deadline, sealed the game with two crucial free throws, cementing Sacramento’s victory.

Key highlights from the game included the strong performance from the Pelicans’ backcourt duo of McCollum and Jose Alvarado, who combined for 36 points, 12 assists, and four steals. This dynamic partnership presented challenges for the Kings, particularly in containing Williamson.

For Sacramento, it was another test as coach Doug Christie continues to work on integrating new players into the lineup. However, LaVine’s increased aggressiveness marked a positive development from his initial games with the team.

A defining moment occurred after Sabonis picked up his fourth foul with just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter; the Kings responded with a remarkable 22-9 surge to reclaim momentum.

A noteworthy statistic from this matchup was that the Pelicans drained 14 three-pointers, equalling their highest total over their past nine games.

Looking ahead, the Pelicans will conclude their four-game road trip on Monday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, the Kings are set to face the Mavericks in Dallas on the same evening.